Chapter 117 – The Disguised Butler

Thank you as always for reading my work.

I made another revision around 9:30 on the 25th. My apologies for the oversight.

——The day for heading to the villa for recuperation approached in no time, and before I knew it, it was the scheduled day of departure.

“I wonder how I look. I hope I don’t look strange.”

I pinch my bangs and check the color. Since my appearance features black hair and black eyes, part of me doesn’t feel that much dissonance despite being in disguise.

Because the ring is a Magic Tool, it only functions exactly as described. While it enables this disguise, it apparently doesn’t allow me to freely change my appearance at will. If I want to change my appearance to something else, I have no choice but to prepare a different ring.

Well, putting my appearance aside, my title is that of a servant. I can’t help but feel that the attire based on that is where the real problem lies.

A bow tie, a tailcoat, white Gloves… It’s certainly a butler-style outfit. But my etiquette is all just tacked on anyway, so I’m worried about whether I’ll give myself away.

The official story is that Albert has hired me—Mathius—as a servant to take care of Marlene’s personal needs.

“Not at all.”

“Yes, I don’t see anything odd about it.”

Grace and Ashley say.

Hmm… If they say it’s fine, then it probably is. The group consists of a maid and a Baroness. They’re both familiar with servants, after all.

“Well then, Grace. I’m going to release you, is that alright?”

“I’ll spend my time quietly, so a few days should be fine. More importantly, please make sure you return safely.”

Grace smiled. It seems I’ve ended up being the one worried about instead.

This time, as it’s a royal vacation, there are no companions besides Marlene. If I had to name one, it would just be Caduceus.

Since I’m infiltrating in disguise, I can’t bring a crowd of people, and Termwills also has things to do.

Caduceus is absolutely necessary here, so I’m bringing him along. That means I need to ensure Grace can protect herself.

Given that there’s been talk of cults and hostages and other suspicious matters, I can’t very well leave her behind while still Sealed by the Cursed Tool.

I pack my bag with clothes, Potions, and such, carefully wrapping Ouroboros in Cloth… My travel preparations are complete.

I release Grace and look up.

“Well then, I’m off.”

“Yes. Take care.”

“You too. I don’t think things will get too flashy on my end, though.”

Leaving those words with them, I depart the house. Marlene has already gone ahead to the port by carriage. My plan is to first go to the workshop, meet up with Prince Albert, and then head to the port.

Caduceus is with me, but… It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been alone. I’m always acting together with everyone.

“Hey, Theo-kun… Oh, no, it’s Mathius-kun now, isn’t it?”

When I arrive at the workshop, Albert is waiting. Albert looks at my outfit and says,

“Yeah. Isn’t this fine?”

“I’m not… really confident, though.”

Being an Illegitimate Child, I’ve been made to learn etiquette for dealing with nobility by people like Kathryn, but still.

“Well then. Shall we go? I’m prepared on my end too.”

“Mhm.”

『How are things on your end?』

After hurriedly boarding the ship and settling down in Albert and Marlene’s cabin, I send a message to them. A reply comes after a little while.

『There are no problems. We are proceeding according to schedule. Grace-sama also says that as long as it doesn’t turn into a fight, she can remain calm.』

It’s from Ashley. Because Grace, in her released state, has difficulty controlling her power, she can’t use the Communication Device. I’m causing her some inconvenience there. Regarding Grace’s Communication Device, perhaps an Improvement is needed, reviewing the Materials and reinforcing the structure to make it able to withstand her power? I should proceed with that area step by step as well.

『She said if it becomes truly unbearable, she’ll go rampage in the Labyrinth.』

『Take care too, Theodore-kun.』

『With everyone fun』

…Three messages, each with its own character. The last one is from Seraphina.

Forestbird and Rosetta. I’ve also asked for cooperation from those I can trust… so there should be no problems over there. Besides, with their Aerial Combat Gear, it’s easy for them to escape from the sky.

“Now then—”

I need to focus on my own side here and switch my mindset.

Crown Prince Josiah, Second Prince Roy, First Princess Stephania.

All three of them hold territories. Looking at it with Termwills as the center, Prince Josiah’s territory is to the west. Prince Roy’s is to the south, and Princess Stephania’s is to the north.

Normally, they are in their respective territories managing them, and they handle the governance competently. So, it’s apparently quite rare for them to gather together in Termwills like this. It would be since the attempted assassination of Marlene—I suppose.

As for Rosemary, perhaps because she advocated for meritocracy, she wasn’t granted a territory even when she reached the conventional age. The fact that she wasn’t given governance experience itself was probably King Melvin’s silent answer to Rosemary, and Rosemary, aware of that, was maneuvering in the shadows, trying to use the environment to build a power base in the capital.

It was precisely because she knew it was impossible to ascend the throne through legitimate means that she resorted to such maneuvering… but that in turn invited wariness and suspicion from the Princes and Princess, and it seems there was no opportunity to drug them personally. Even in the guise of the fortune teller Anastasia, she apparently couldn’t enter the King’s Tower.

And from the aides she brought to the Royal Castle, they couldn’t uncover that kind of secret. But, in reality, one of the royals is moving.

Now then… If the aim is the royal succession, you could say they each have a motive. It would probably be quick if we could just make them all undergo a Magical Inquisition, but considering royal prestige and appearances, that’s unfortunately impossible.

Since the victims were the children of the Second and Third Queens, the First Queen is also a possibility. Anyway, this invitation is also meant to clarify exactly who among them is moving.

A knocking sound echoes from the cabin door.

“Come in.”

The one who opens the door and shows his face is Albert.

“Mathius-kun. The island is getting closer, so Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and others are out on the deck. What will you do?”

“Understood. I will accompany you.”

I go out onto the deck with Albert and Marlene. I make an effort to act like a servant, staying behind them.

“Speaking of which, wasn’t it around here? When the island came into view, Brother leaned out too far and fell into the sea.”

“Give me a break. That was when we were kids.”

On the deck were Prince Josiah and Prince Roy. It was a scene of Prince Josiah with his arm around Prince Roy’s shoulder, laughing.

A little distance away, Princess Stephania was watching them with a gentle smile.

“All three of them have been close since long ago.”

Albert adds this as if muttering to himself.

Putting aside the suitability of their Magical Power attributes related to the Nation Protecting Ceremony. All three of them apparently have Magic talent. The one with the most outstanding Magic talent is Prince Josiah. Next is Princess Stephania.

Prince Josiah’s territory is along the western coast. He bears the role of securing the strategic points of the inland sea and strengthening Termwills’ defenses.

It’s the gateway to the Kingdom of Verdugal, where foreign ships heading to Termwills call at port. The importance of governing that land goes without saying.

Princess Stephania has visited Silvatoria several times for goodwill purposes. The reason her territory is in the north is also because she has built favorable relations with Silvatoria.

By establishing exchanges, she can be said to be contributing to the development of the Kingdom of Verdugal’s Magical Technology.

As for Prince Roy… While he is somewhat inferior to the other two in Magic, I’ve heard his skill with the sword is also excellent. In short, he is a Magic Swordsman.

It seems that when it came time to be granted a territory, he proposed to King Melvin that it would be better to take up a defensive position near the southern border rather than a strategic point closer to the center.

The Kingdom of Verdugal has enjoyed peace for a long time. But that doesn’t mean border security is unnecessary. So, speaking of Prince Roy, he’s probably the most military-minded among the royals.

Well, in short… All three hold important positions and their reputations aren’t bad.

From the looks of it, they seem to get along well too. But, well.

“Ah. So this is where everyone is.”

A little later, Prince Helfried also comes out onto the deck.

“Long time no see. Helfried.”

“Albert. Now that you mention it, I hadn’t greeted you since you returned.”

“Hmm. Yeah.”

Albert gave a wry smile. He’s busy with the creation and Improvement of Magic Tools, but among the royals, only King Melvin really knows about that.

“Albert-kun, you usually don’t seem to be in the Royal Castle much. You don’t appear in social circles either… I’m a little worried, you know? The connections you build now will become your strength in the future, so couldn’t you make more ties? I… I understand how you feel.”

Seeing this, Stephania joins the conversation.

The “I understand how you feel” part is probably because Albert lost his mother in a social gathering.

“No, well. I’m doing things my own way, so…”

“Is that so? If you say so.”

Stephania tilted her head.

“Isn’t that area fine? Albert has a connection with that Ambassador, right?”

Roy joins the conversation, and Josiah chimes in.

“Ah, that’s right. There was talk of Marlene getting engaged.”

“Yes.”

“If Marlene gets married, we probably won’t be able to gather with this lineup again. There are fewer people this year.”

“Rosemary isn’t here, and the Second Queen is also in poor health.”

Josiah and Roy exchange such words and share a wry smile. The Second Queen is the mother of Rosemary and Helfried. Rather than being in poor health, it’s probably that she doesn’t want to show her face at such gatherings because of what Rosemary did.

The island that had been visible in the distance was gradually drawing nearer.

“It seems we’ll be arriving at the dock soon.”

“Is that so? Then I shall begin preparations shortly.”

I nod and start preparing for disembarkation.

Soon, the ship arrives at the island. We disembark, split into several groups to board carriages, and after traveling for a while on the island’s well-maintained roads… a large Western-style mansion stood in a location overlooking the open sea.